Board Member Reports

• President - Mike Louderback 
  • Form 700
• Finance and Facilities: Katerina Yevmenkina
• Safety School Culture and Academic Excellence: Ozge Heerma

Director

• TK Plan for 2023 -- Dr. Simon has assembled a TK committee involved in the planning processes for starting a TK program for the 2023 school year. A waiting list is forming, and a teacher has been retained. 
• Administrative Goals -- report on board policy cycle
• Equity Conference at VCOE -- The VCOE will be hosting the third annual equity conference in person for the first time! We encourage board members to attend: www.vcoe.org/equity
• Performing Arts Program Updates -- We encourage the board to calendar the students' performance of Wizard of Oz on March 24th-26th. The students and parent volunteers have been working very hard to put on a spectacular show!

Assistant Director

• Yosemite - Great Success, 23 Students, 3 Chaperones
• Astrocamp, Idyllwild, CA - This week Coming Up, 54 Students, 9 Chaperones
• Annual Participation in Healthy Kids Survey

Consent Items: Items proposed for the consent calendar are noted on the posted agenda and are considered by the Director to be of a routine nature.  Any item may be removed from the consent calendar at the request of any Board member and placed under the appropriate action category.  A vote will be taken for the consent calendar so that any items requiring a vote can be properly addressed.  It is recommended that all consent items be approved.

6.1       Financial Reports
            6.1.1    Checks
            6.1.2    Financial Statements
            6.1.3    Purchase Orders
            6.1.4    Amazon Purchases
                 
6.2        Personnel Report

With support from the BSA, Dr. Simon submitted an amendment to Bridges' tax returns for the fiscal year 2020/2021 for the Employee Retention Tax Credit Program. ERC Funding demonstrated expertise in qualifying non-profits based on qualitative factors. They demonstrated expertise in compliance, and will provide both legal support and auditing support should the unlikely need arise. Their fees are lower than the market rate of other ERC companies researched. 

Approval of this contract is recommended. 

This memo explicates the losses in revenue experienced in the 2022-2023 school year that include losses from LCFF, State Senate Bill 740, California Arts and Music Discretionary Block Grant, SPED Shortfall, Property Liability Premiums, and STRS/PERS Employer contributions. 

This memo has been corroborated by BSA. 

Approval of this memo is recommended. 

The School Safety Committee has met quarterly to assess the safety of our campus and to make recommendations for training and adjustments to our comprehensive school safety plan. 

The Comprehensive School Safety Plan is an evolving document that requires board approval no later than March 1st. 

This plan includes revisions to our reunification protocols and improvements to our safety procedures for visitors entering our campus. The Safety Committee continues to be involved in the Active Assailant Training at VCOE and recommends a full day of Active Assailant Training for Bridges Teachers and Staff for the 2023-2024 school year. 

In addition to increased training, The Safety Committee has also made recommendations for campus improvements that include an improved crisis alarm system, more restrictive access to the front office and common areas, and improvements to signage. 

Approval of the Comprehensive Safety Plan is recommended.

Bridges Charter School leases its' facility through criteria set forth in Proposition 39 and its' implementing regulations. We have received our Preliminary Offer of Facilities for the 2023-2024 school year for the boards' review. 

Dr. Simon will briefly discussion the proposal with the board. No action is necessary. 

It is likely that the Governor's emergency orders will be expiring as of February 28th which will require us to return to in-person board meetings sooner than the expiration of AB361. It is recommended that we plan to convene in person for our March Board meeting. The option for virtual participation exists with the following parameters: 

Board members may participate remotely but only pursuant to the requirements and limitations described below:

• For “just cause,” which is defined as 1) a child care or caregiving need of a child parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner, or 2) a contagious illness, or 3) a need related to a physical or mental disability, or 4) to travel for the board or another public agency. To participate remotely by “just cause,” the member must notify the board of the need to meet remotely and provide a general description of the reason. This notice can be given as late as the start of the meeting. Importantly, remote appearances for “just cause” can only occur twice a year per board member.
• For an “emergency circumstance,” which is defined as a physical or family medical emergency that prevents the member from attending in person. 
• The member must request to participate remotely and provide a general description that is 20 words or less of the circumstances requiring remote participation. The description does not need to include any personal medical information. This request process must be used for each instance of remote participation.
• The board must approve any request and can take action to do so even if it is not included on the posted agenda.
• Remote appearances are limited to three consecutive months or 20 percent of regular meetings in a calendar year or more than two meetings if the board meets less than 10 times per year.
• Members participating remotely must disclose whether any individuals 18 years or older are in the remote location. If there is such an individual, the relationship with that individual must also be disclosed.
• The remote appearance must be by audio and visual technology.

With the return to in-person meetings, the board will consider a change in time for regular board meetings. 

Consideration of Appointment, Employment, Evaluation of Performance, Discipline, or Dismissal of an Employee.

1 Case ID 1000026824